Bangladesh has placed two conditions before creating what it describes as a conducive environment for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s possible visit to New Delhi. Dhaka has urged India to expedite the extradition process of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and hand over to Bangladesh the alleged killers of Inquilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi.
Bangladesh Foreign Ministry spokesperson AKM Shahidul Karim outlined the conditions during a briefing on Sunday.
In a written statement, Karim said officials from Dhaka and New Delhi had been engaged in discussions for several weeks regarding a possible visit by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to India. However, he said the process was affected by Sheikh Hasina’s public press conference in New Delhi on August 5.
“We have made our position clear in this regard,” the spokesperson said, adding that Bangladesh believes a conducive environment needs to be created for the proposed visit.
According to Karim, Dhaka has requested the Indian government to expedite requests for the extradition of Sheikh Hasina and other fugitives under the bilateral extradition treaty. Bangladesh has also sought the speedy handover of those accused of killing Sharif Osman Hadi, who was associated with Inquilab Mancha.
“We are waiting for their response,” Karim said.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh has also highlighted the legal procedures involved in extradition. According to the extradition framework cited by Dhaka, following an inquiry, a magistrate may discharge an accused if there is no prima facie evidence supporting the extradition request made by a foreign state.
On August 10, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Dhaka. Both sides reportedly conveyed their intention to advance Bangladesh-India relations, while Dhaka stressed the need for a “conducive environment” for further engagement.
Following the meeting, Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman had said that Dhaka had asked India to extradite Sheikh Hasina and also urged New Delhi to prevent her from making political statements.
Diplomatic and political sources in Dhaka and New Delhi had earlier indicated that August 22-23 could be considered as possible dates for Tarique Rahman’s visit, approximately a week after India’s Independence Day.
However, with Dhaka now publicly stressing the two conditions, questions have emerged over whether the proposed visit could once again face uncertainty. Officials have not clarified the matter.
Shahidul Karim said Bangladesh would continue efforts to strengthen friendly bilateral relations with all countries, including neighbouring states, in line with its “Bangladesh First” policy.
He said the policy was based on sovereign equality, national dignity, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs and mutual benefit.
Sheikh Hasina has been staying in India since being removed from power following the 2024 uprising, according to the statement. She has subsequently been sentenced to death by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal in connection with allegations of crimes against humanity during the suppression of the movement. Activities of her Awami League party have also been banned.
The India-Bangladesh extradition treaty, signed in 2013, provides for the surrender of persons accused or convicted of offences in certain circumstances, including for the enforcement of sentences handed down by courts. The treaty also lays down procedures for judicial authorities to deal with extradition requests.